jQuery reDesign
Posted by admin | Filed under Code, Design, JavaScript, Uncategorized, jQuery
As many of you have already noticed, our beloved jquery.com had undergone a redesign. I heart jQuery quite a bit and hate to bash the new design, but all I could think of at first glace was - what were they thinking?
On that note, it isn’t all that terrible - please hear me out.
The fact that the site has finally undergone a redesign is great, as the previous version was starting to feel a bit outdated, but I’m not quite sure if this was the right way to go.
Let’s start right at the top.
The new logo is pretty cool, but I have to say it feels a bit futuristic. Sending a futuristic feel though is not a bad thing, as it shows that jQuery truly lives on the edge and is up to date with the latest trends. However, the logo in combination with the “rocker” illustration is too much. Suddenly, the logo looses it’s feel and it all conflicts. The illustration, is very nicely done - props to Varick Rosete for his awesome skills! - but the thing is though, it just does not fit jQuery - at least not from my point of view. Next to the “rocker” illustration is another tagline, which totally throws me off. Is there really a need for another tagline/slogan? “Be a JavaScript Rockstar” is just so amateur/teen-like. What was wrong with just sticking to the simple, yet bold - “write less, do more” slogan? That is such an AMAZING line, it deserves a trademark all of its own!
Overall, the welcome section with the rockstar targets a totally different demographic than what I would consider to be jQuery’s target. It makes the site look amateur, when compared to the very clean look of MooTools and Prototype. I understand that they wanted to go different and over the top, and they sure did! But it does not seem like they considered their demographic. I am a rocker and a heavy metal chick as well as an awesome developer/designer, and so I’m a rockstar as they say (literal/non-literal), but to be honest, I was almost offended as a loyal user/fan. I don’t need to have it blow in my face - it almost felt like mockery.
I must add, that I love the “Who’s using jQuery?” section. That is definitely a great addition. Love it! It would be cool if they would change out/rotate as more big names roll in using jQuery. It would just keep thinks a fresh.
Alright, now that the big/loud portion of the site is out of my system, I can move on to discussing other parts of the site.
Let’s take a look at the colors at that was the next thing that hit me as I reviewed the site. MooTools not too long ago did a redesign of their site from a dark to a light layout. Hmmm… jQuery just did the exact opposite going from light to dark. Could it be that the two rivarling libraries are trying to stay at totally opposite ends of the spectrum? It’s like they’re using their color schemes as a metaphor. Sidenote - While discussing the color schemes, let me state that the Prototype website blue/orange (tips and tuts page) make me think 1990’s like whoa! The site is quite clean with a corporate feel, but whoa! on the tutorials page.
I can’t say I take issue with anything else on the homepage, so next, let’s explore the site as a whole.
The navigation gets a bit confusing for a second there. When the user visits the UI page, the whole layout resizes. I’m not sure why they aren’t the same width, but not a biggie. The thing that I found a little weird, but got over real quick, is that while on the UI page, if the user clicks on “About,” they get the about page for the UI. To get the about page for jQuery, the user must click “jQuery” and then “About.” It’s just a bit odd as it is not the behavior I expected, but how often will a developer use that nav anyways? Like never!? Well, meaning the about pages. And if so, then the users can figure it out just like I did, after all - we are JavaScript ROCKSTARS with jQuery on our side - and I mean that in a true sense, no mockery there!
Saving the best for last, the documentation/tutorial section is MARVELOUS! As expected, it is excellent and I think I really like the new organization. Getting used to it took… oh just under a minute. Just one more reason why jQuery RULES!
So there you have it folks! My thoughts on the redesign.
*** UPDATE ***
Just noticed a tweet from John Resig - the “rockstar” is officially out (awww - now I feel a little sad) and here is their latest post. In response to that, I think there’s definitely ways to have “fun” with the homepage it’s just a matter of finding the right “thing” to represent the fun that fits their demographic. I LOVE that they took immediate action and responded to the wants/needs of the users. Damn… I LOVE those guys! Awesome work and thanks!
Oh, and I DO love the new-new version of the site.
∂ meow
Tags: Design, JavaScript, jQuery
